E-Post – May 15, 2010
CONTENTS
Church Community News
1. In Pursuit of Sexual Wholeness
Getting Connected: Opportunities to Live, Learn, and Grow With Cedar Ridge
2. The Journey
3. Perspectives on Sexual Orientation
4. Prayer Practice
5. Middle School Camp Out
6. Special Activity for Elementary Children
7. Barn Friday Night
8. Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament and Potluck Rescheduled
9. Communication Workshop
Getting Involved: Meeting Needs In Our Church, Community, and World
10. What’s New on the Farm
11. Cedar Ridge Workdays
12. Serving Our Neighbors
13. Lost and Found
PostScript
- Contact Information
CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS
1. In Pursuit of Sexual Wholeness
Our community focus this month is our discipleship series "In Pursuit of Sexual Wholeness". The purpose is to invite the healing presence of Jesus into this important area of our lives. How does our discipleship impact our sexuality, and how does our sexuality impact us socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually? Can we treat others with deep respect and love in this critical area? What areas of brokenness in our thoughts, attitudes, actions and perspectives are in need of being brought to Christ's light for freedom, hope and transformation?
Each Sunday following the 11AM service throughout the series there will be open discussion times in the auditorium facilitated by pastoral staff. Everyone is welcome to attend, including discipleship groups. No registration is required. We will explore questions designed to spark discussion and self-reflection, and we'll hear about opportunities to access various resources for support and growth (see website for further info). This will be a time to respond to Jesus' call to abundant, beautiful life in every aspect of who we are.
Children and youth will be focusing on related themes each week in their Sunday groups.
The final Sunday of the month begins our popular six week “God in the Movies” series, where each week we examine a film and its themes as it relates to living out our followership of Jesus.
GETTING CONNECTED: OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, AND GROW WITH CEDAR RIDGE
2. The Journey
We are offering an opportunity to attend a Journey seminar for anyone who is interested in becoming a member of Cedar Ridge. This three hour group time is a chance to get to know the pastors and discuss our vision and values together while considering a more serious commitment to following Jesus at Cedar Ridge. This abbreviated Journey seminar is Saturday, June 26, 9:30AM-12:30PM. RSVP required. No childcare provided. Contact Patsy Fratanduono to register or for more information.
3. Perspectives on Sexual Orientation
Come and join us for an evening of listening to a panel of people sharing their stories representing a variety of experiences and perspectives related to homosexuality. This is not designed for debate or challenging others, but rather an opportunity for listening to and learning from one another in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. There will be time for discussion and Q & A with the panel members. Everyone is welcome.
Monday, June 7, 7-9PM, Auditorium
4. Prayer Practice
The third Thursday of each month a small group of people gather to grow in ways of praying that help us better listen to "the still small voice" of God within. This month on May 20 we will learn about and discuss the method of Welcoming Prayer and have an opportunity to experience this way of praying that transforms from within. Welcoming Prayer helps one to embrace, rather than avoid or suppress, painful emotions and negative thinking. The purpose is not to focus on the suffering itself but rather the presence of the Holy Spirit in the suffering, whether physical, emotional, or mental, accepting the full reality of the present moment and giving the self to God. Everyone is welcome. No registration or experience is required. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
5. Middle School Youth Camp Out
The Cedar Ridge Middle School Youth Camp Out will begin at 6PM on Saturday, May 15, and continue until Sunday at 12:30PM. The youth will camp out at the back of the property, play games, and have a fire pit with fun goodies to eat. Please come prepared to have a great time!
6. Special Activity for Elementary Children
On Sunday, May 30, elementary children attending Cedar Ridge will do a portion of the prayer walk during the 9 and 11AM services. If you would like your child to participate, please dress him or her in clothes and shoes that will be comfortable for walking. Please also put sunscreen and bug repellant on your child; there can be ticks and mosquitoes on the property at this time of year. If you do not wish for your child to participate, you may keep him or her in the main service with you. If you have any questions about this activity, please contact Leigh-Ellen Curl.
7. Barn Friday Night
All students 8th grade and above, you are invited to come to the Barn at Cedar Ridge on Friday, June 4, 7-10PM. Enjoy some music, bonfire, and bring a few bucks for the snacks that will be for sale. As always, feel free to bring along a friend. For information please contact Steve Mather.
8. Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament and Potluck Rescheduled
The Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament and Potluck originally scheduled for Sunday, May 16, has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 27. Contact Steve Mather for more information
9. Communications Workshop
The final “Connecting as a Couple” workshop that will help couples learn to communicate more meaningfully and effectively will be held Friday, May 21, at the Ashton United Methodist Church from 7-10PM. The workshop is free of charge, but registration is required. Contact Carolyn Buresh at 1.800.491.5369 x 104.
GETTING INVOLVED: MEETING NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD
10. What’s New on the Farm
Our spring seeds are growing and most are an inch above the ground. Our summer plants are still in the process of being planted and if you'd like to help, our next planting party is Tuesday, May 18, from 5:30-8:30PM. This past week we have had "planting parties" where we gather as a group to work the land and get our summer seeds in the ground. It is a fun way to meet people, and get in some farm time. Our plan for the summer is to offer a few farm parties each month where we will post dates when leaders and knowledgeable farmers will be present on the farm to work with you. If you have the desire to spend time in the farm with other people, please share your thoughts or schedule with the farm team. We will post the dates on the Cedar Ridge farm website page to share the information.
Sunday, June 6, from 12:30-2:30PM is our monthly farm meeting, BUT this month is a little different. All are invited to spend these two hours in a time of learning and orienting to our 2010 farm. We will break into smaller groups where we will teach you how to use our farm equipment, learn how to navigate the farm and farm shed, use simple tools of easy gardening and hear our goals and plans for our summer growing season. It will be a fun afternoon with lunch provided. Childcare offered if you contact us before Wednesday, June 2.
11. Cedar Ridge Workdays
Workdays are held every other Saturday. The next ones are scheduled on May 15 and May 29. We start at 8AM and work until noon. Please contact Kirk Hoffman or just come by Saturday morning.
12. Serving our Neighbors
Cedar Ridge has been working with St. Camillus, a multi-cultural church with a large Hispanic community near Langley Park. St. Camillus serves the surrounding community through a completely volunteer run food bank and provides weekly emergency food assistance to between 100-250 families in need, many coming from Guatemala. You can help! There are two big ways you can be involved:
- helping to transport food donations mid-week - (time involved - approx. 1-2 hrs. per transport)
- working with families to apply for food stamps - some Spanish needed; guidance on how to do this is
provided (time involved - 2 hrs).
If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please contact Beth Hood at 202-744-0148. If you would like to learn more about St. Camillus, click here.
13. Lost and Found
Look for any lost items in Cedar Ridge’s Lost and Found located at the coat rack in the hallway outside the rest rooms. Contact Pat Martin for more information.
POSTSCRIPT
Contact Information
Cedar Ridge Community Church
2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868
Phone: 301-384-7444